Psychosocial Hazards

Many modern workplaces have a number of hazards that put at risk the psychological health of workers. We refer to these as psychosocial hazards. As is the case for other workplace hazards and risks, the employer has a duty to identify these and then take action to eliminate, or if this is not reasonably practicable, minimise them. This page contains links to multiple specific psychosocial hazards and how to control them. For an overview of psychosocial hazards broadly and how to control them, see this page.

 

Bullying and Violence
'Bullying and occupational violence are issues that must be seriously addressed by businesses, the workforce and the community.  Employers need to assess the risk, ensure control...
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Exposure to traumatic events
Exposure to violent or traumatic events is a psychosocial hazard. Some jobs, such as those in mental health care or emergency services, involve consistent exposure...
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Fatigue, Impairment & Shift-work
If workers are fatigued their work performance is impaired - and there are many factors that contribute to fatigue - such as hours of work, including extended...
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Gendered Violence and Sexual Harassment
Some types of behaviour are considered especially inappropriate not only because of the effect on the victim, but the underlying attitudes of the perpetrators which...
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High and Low Job Demands
High and low job demands are some of the most common psychosocial hazards. They can also lead to physical injury, with high job demands sometimes...
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Insecure Work
As at 2021, 18.8 percent of Victorians were casual workers. This number is likely an underestimate however, as the data was collected during the COVID-19...
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Intrusive Workplace Surveillance and Algorithmic Management
What is intrusive workplace surveillance? Intrusive workplace surveillance is a growing workplace phenomenon. Although not recognised on WorkSafe's list of psychosocial hazards, unions and researchers...
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Low Job Control - Controlling the Risk
Low Job Control is a key psychosocial hazard. It refers to when workers do not have enough - or have little - control over key...
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Low Role Clarity
Lack of or low role clarity and role conflict are a key psychosocial hazards. They can lead to psychological injury through the stress caused by...
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Low recognition and reward
Low recognition and reward can have serious psychological health impacts at work and is a hazard. It means there is an imbalance between the effort...
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Poor Change Management
Poor organisational change management is a psychosocial hazard. When change is poorly communicated, it can increase workplace stress and lead to workers feeling anxious and...
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Poor Environmental Conditions
Numerous environmental factors might affect a workers psychological health. Hazards such as noise, vibration and cold workplaces aren't just physical, they can have a severe...
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Poor Support
Poor support is a psychosocial hazard. It occurs when workers do not have the requisite emotional or practical support to ensure that they can safely...
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Poor Workplace Relationships
Poor Workplace Relationships Poor workplace relationships includes negative interactions in the workplace such as sarcasm, mocking or exclusion. If left unchecked these can develop into...
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Presenteeism - what is it?
What is 'presenteeism'? 'Presenteeism' is the term given when sick workers come to work, work at levels that are less than optimal, and risk infecting...
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Psych Health Survey Tool
Find everything you need to complete the psychological health survey with your DWG below. Printable survey handout Download the survey to distribute to your DWG...
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Remote and Isolated Work
Remote work refers to work in areas where access to communications and resources is difficult. Additionally, travel time to the workplace or back to the...
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Stress
Stress is the second most common cause of workplace compensation claims in Australia, after manual handling. Taking into account that many workers do not make...
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Teleworking - or working from home
Teleworking  is the growing trend for people to work away from the office using information technology.  Teleworking means moving the work, not the worker. Phones, computers connected...
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What are Psychosocial Hazards?
Many modern workplaces have a number of hazards that put at risk the psychological health of workers. We refer to these as psychosocial hazards. As...
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Work Stress Questionnaire
About this resource: The best way to find out if work stress is an issue in your workplace is by speaking to the members of...
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Working alone – is it legal, is it safe?
People who work alone could be at increased risk through using moving machinery or handling chemicals without help, or being placed under stress through social...
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